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There is no single electricity cost for running a second-hand small-form-factor (SFF) PC around the clock. It depends on the complete setup’s average power draw at the wall while streaming and your electricity rate. For a continuous load, each watt uses 8.76 kWh per year: multiply that annual energy by your per-kWh rate to estimate the cost.
Calculate the cost from watts and your electricity rate
Use the PC’s average wall-power draw during the intended streaming workload—not its power adapter’s rated capacity, a component’s rating, or an idle reading.
- Measure average watts: Run the complete setup as you intend to use it for YouTube streaming and measure its power at the wall. A plug-in power meter that reports watts is one way to do this.
- Calculate annual energy: Multiply average watts by 8.76. The factor comes from 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 watts per kilowatt.
- Calculate annual electricity cost: Multiply annual kWh by your all-in electricity price per kWh.
- Calculate the monthly average: Divide annual cost by 12.
If the monitor or another peripheral stays powered during the stream, include its consumption in the measurement. If it will be off, leave it out. Flat monthly bill charges that do not change with usage are not part of the incremental cost of operating the PC.
Illustrative 24/7 cost scenarios
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) uses 11¢/kWh as an illustrative energy price based on average electricity prices at federal facilities in July 2024. This is a dated federal-facility reference, not a household tariff or a universal current price. The following figures are calculations from assumed continuous wall draws, not measured SFF PC results.
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| Assumed average wall draw | Annual energy | Annual cost at $0.11/kWh | Monthly average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 87.6 kWh | $9.64 | $0.80 |
| 15 W | 131.4 kWh | $14.45 | $1.20 |
| 25 W | 219.0 kWh | $24.09 | $2.01 |
These examples show how the estimate changes with assumed wattage. For your own figure, use measured watts and the applicable rate on your electricity plan. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Electric Power Monthly page reports July 2026 data released on September 24, 2026, and lists October 23, 2026 as the next release date; its national or regional data can serve as a reference, but your utility bill or tariff is the relevant price for a personal estimate: EIA Electric Power Monthly.
What second-hand SFF PC guidance can—and cannot—tell you
ENERGY STAR’s computer guidance covers efficient operation in multiple modes, including idle, and includes power-management requirements and energy-efficient power supplies. Its general statement that certified computers use 30–40% less energy than standard models is not a measured estimate for a used SFF machine running a YouTube stream. The page’s effective date is October 27, 2025. Certification or idle consumption alone does not establish a particular computer’s draw under your streaming workload.
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ENERGY STAR also notes that compact desktops can suit small spaces but may be more difficult to upgrade or repair than full-sized desktops. That is relevant when weighing a used purchase, but it does not supply an SFF-specific wattage figure. See ENERGY STAR’s computer guidance and the U.S. Department of Energy’s FEMP computer purchasing guidance.
No verified test here establishes the continuous YouTube-streaming power draw of a named second-hand SFF model. Treat the scenario table as arithmetic, not typical PC consumption or a hardware test.
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How to get a useful measurement
- Use a plug-in electricity meter compatible with your outlet and supply; accumulated energy readings are useful alongside instantaneous watts. No particular meter brand or model is established here.
- Measure the whole setup at the wall while it performs the intended streaming work long enough to capture a representative average.
- Keep the equipment state consistent: include only devices that will actually remain on during 24/7 operation.
- Record your local per-kWh price from the relevant utility tariff or bill, then apply the formula above. A national or regional average may differ from your plan.
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